Synthetic solid cleanser

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a synthetic solid bar cleanser formulated to clean human skin. More particularly, the present invention relates to synthetic solid cleanser formulations which have pH of about 5.5, the same as human skin, and yet which perform similarly, or superior, to traditional soap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/972,830, filed Aug. 21, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a synthetic solid bar cleanserformulated to clean human skin. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to synthetic solid cleanser formulations which have pH of about5.5, the same as human skin, and yet which perform similarly, orsuperior, to traditional soap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soaps have been known and used for personal hygiene for thousands ofyears. Commonly referred to as toilet or bath bars, soaps for personalbathing and hand and face washing have been prepared from proprietaryformulations of sodium and potassium soaps of fatty acids containingabout 8 to 20 carbon atoms and other ingredients which improve thetexture, appearance, and cleaning performance of bars. Plasticizingagents, perfumes and/or deodorants, antimicrobial agents, inertinorganic fillers or builders and other surfactants are commonly added.

While the body's physiologic pH is 7.4, the skin's physiologic pH is5.5. Maintenance of the skin's normal pH is critical for the health ofthe skin. Disruption of the pH by typical soaps results in reducedbarrier function of the stratum corneum, and create a more favorableenvironment for pathogenic bacteria.¹ Alkaline soaps alter the pH of theskin, from a physiologic 5.5 to the level of the soap, which may higherthan 10. This results in an injury to the barrier function of the skin,increased susceptibility to environmental irritants and antigens, skinirritation with erythema and edema, reduction of water content andsmoothness of the skin, and an alteration of the physiologicbactericidal and fungicidal capabilities of skin.² Chronic use ofalkaline soaps is associated with more irritation than acidic syndets.³Specifically, alkaline soaps cause swelling of the stratum corneum,affecting both structural proteins and lipid matrix.⁴ Alterations inskin pH play a role in the pathogenesis of irritant contact dermatitis,atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, acne vulgaris and Candida albicansinfections. The use of skin cleansers with the pH of 5.5 may prevent andtreat those skin diseases⁵ and aid in wound healing.⁶

Traditional alkaline soaps, alkali salts of fatty acids, are thepredominant skin cleaner on the market. These significantly increase thepH of the skin while acidic skin cleaners do not significantly alter thepH.⁷ Cleansers with pH of 5.5 do not interfere with the microflora ofthe skin and irritate the skin less than alkaline soaps.⁸

In clinical studies, acidic cleansers are less irritating than alkalinesoaps⁹ and can improve the disease state of contact dermatitis. Acidiccleansers reduce the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida yeaston the skin^(10,11)

Preservatives are typical toxic components of skin care products. 14% ofthe population is allergic to one or another preservative¹² manifestingas contact dermatitis which injures the barrier function of skin andsets up a condition that increases the toxicity of other skin carecomponents, in addition, many preservatives are proven endocrinedisrupters and suspected carcinogens.¹³ As used in this specification,“performance” in bar skin cleaners is a function of skin cleaningability, lather, “slip” (slide of the bar across the skin), and barintegrity.

Generally prepared from sodium and potassium fatty acid mixtures derivedfrom natural fats and oils such as tallow, coconut oil, palm oil, palmkernel oil, soybean oil and the like, sodium fatty acid soaps areusually harder than potassium fatty acid soaps, and soaps of saturatedfatty acids are harder than those prepared from unsaturated fatty acids.Accordingly, the hardness of fatty acid soaps increases with the lengthof the fatty chain. Most commercial toilet soap bars contain majoramounts of sodium soaps of saturated fatty acid mixtures with minoramounts of potassium soaps and unsaturated fatty acid soaps to alter thefeel, texture, appearance and wearability or resistance to cracking anddiscoloration of the bar. Petrolatum is a commonly used binding agentthat helps hold the bar together. Petrolatum is an oil-based productwith polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been implicated incarcinogenesis. Harsh surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)are commonly used to improve performance, particularly “lather”. SLS isa skin irritant for 100% of humans.

Due to these disadvantages, there has been a trend in the industry tomanufacture toilet bars from blends of sodium and/or potassium soaps andcompounds classified in the art as synthetic detergents (“syndets”) orsurfactants. There are also many commercially available bars preparedfrom these synthetic detergent compounds entirely devoid of thetraditional fatty acid soaps. See for example U.S. Pat Nos. 2,894,912;2,781,320; 3,154,494; 3,186,948; 3,223,645; 3,224,976; 3,226,330. Thespecific compositions of many synthetic detergent and soap-syntheticdetergent bars, usually referred to as combination bars in the industry,vary greatly, the majority of formulations being proprietary to theparticular manufacturer.

In part, because the detergent industry has sought to produce toiletbars having improved appearance, texture, feel, scent, color andwearability acceptable to most consumers, they have ignored one of themost basic requirements for soap to be used on human skin: that is theskin's natural pH of 5.5 and inherent barrier oils and properties. Soapwith a pH over 7 disturbs the natural anti-bacterial properties of sebumallowing for a proliferation of bacteria and yeast, particularly S.aureus and P. aeruginosa. This elevation of pH can last as long as 6hours before natural homeostatic processes return the skin's natural pHto 5.5. Hence use of an alkaline facial scrub can actually promotebacterial proliferation and acne.

Some formulators have sought to produce synthetic detergents (referredto hereafter as “syndets”) which are non-alkaline, preservative free,and contain no dyes, yet which provide the performance, i.e. feel,scent, froth and color, of traditional soaps. Unfortunately, providing acleanser which froths and is still non-alkaline has been heretoforeunachievable without resorting to the use of sodium lauryl sulfate(hereafter referred to as “SLS”), relatives thereof, and otherirritating surfactants to achieve the frothing which consumers associatewith good cleansing. Application of SLS and other similar surfactants onthe skin can degrade the “barrier function” of the skin. Theconsequences of this are increased penetration of toxins that can damagethe skin, the body as a whole, and have been shown to cause the skin toproduce sebum and other oils as well as local inflammation that areanathema to achieving the healthiest skin possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention, result in verynonirritating, physiologically perfect, skin cleaner. Because it doesnot disturb the pH of the skin and also does not injure the “barrierfunction” of the skin, it renders the skin more physiologicallyimpervious to the various toxins that skin is exposed to daily. Theseinclude environmental pollutants and also cosmetic products that aretoxic to the skin. A syndrome of skin toxicity, largely due to soaptoxicity, includes a slight redness, and a slight swelling of the skin,and enlarged, visible, pores. So many people have this problem, for somany years, that they think that that appearance is the innatecharacteristic of their skin. But when their exposure to skin cleansingproducts containing skin irritants is eliminated, and the cleansers ofthe present invention are initiated in a daily regimen, their skin ispermitted to “detox” and its appearance and actual health improves.Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are beneficial when usedalone, but are even more effective and have an overall synergisticeffect when used as part of the system of skin rejuvenators which arethe subjects of my co-pending patent applications. By using a morephysiologic cleaner which, like the present invention, has the correctpH and without irritants, a patient achieves clean, healthy, pH-balancedskin which will allow for better penetration and utilization of theactive agents in this and the other components of my skin rejuvenationsystem.

Irritants include the majority of commonly used surfactants, includingSLS and sodium laureth sulfate and dozens more. Other irritants includevarious fragrances and preservatives which are common causes of contactdermatitis. These substances are avoided by formulations designedaccording to the teachings of the present invention.

Elimination of preservatives is a notable advantage of this invention.The exemplary embodiment was designed as a solid, which does not promotethe growth of bacteria. Lemon and thyme oils arc natural antibacterialsand antifungals that further suppress the growth of bacteria and fungusin bar cleansers of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention are syndet formulationsthat perform well. Specifically, they provide a skin cleansing bar whichcreates froth volume that consumers associate with good cleansing, andat a pH in a range of from 5.3 to about 5.8, preferably of 5.5. Typicalsyndets perform abysmally, creating a paltry amount of lather and aperception by a typical user that the cleaning ability is similarlyminimal. Furthermore, the formulations of the present invention producea “synthetic” cleanser for skin that is substantially free of skinirritants that can cause local inflammation and skin irritation, withoutactually promoting the growth of bacteria and fungi. Thenon-inflammatory ingredients of the present formulations provide asoothing experience with a pleasant texture and color. The formulationshave a pleasing scent provided by ingredients that also haveantioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The skin cleanser of the present invention is a vegetable-based syndetbar. There are no animal products used in the creation of the skincleanser of the present invention. The pH is the same as normalskin—i.e. in a range of from pH 5.3 to about pH 5.8 but preferably aboutpH 5.5. As a synthetic cleansing bar, the base has been formulated tomeet this precise pH.

The skin cleanser of the present invention contains a variety of uniqueingredients that improve the performance of the bar. Of note is thatthis bar is free of preservatives. The following listing of ingredientsare provided as an exemplary, hut non-limiting, embodiment of thepresent invention which is then formed into bars, as describedhereinbelow.

INGREDIENT % by weight Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate   40-50%% Stearic Acid  30-40% Water (Aqua)   6-8%% Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine   2-4%Beeswax   1-3% Sodium Isethionate   1-3% Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil 0.5-2% Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour  0.5-2% Glycerin  0.5-2% SodiumChloride  0.5-1% Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891)  0.5-1% LavandulaAngustifolia (Lavender) Oil 0.01-1% Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract .01-1% Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil .001-1%

Elimination of preservatives is a notable advantage of this invention.The exemplary embodiment cleansers are designed as a solid, which do notpromote the growth of bacteria. Lemon and thyme oils are naturalantibacterials that further suppress the growth of bacteria in thecleansers of the present invention (see references below in ingredientsection).

Superior performance—“Performance” in bar skin cleaners is a function ofskin cleaning ability, lather, “slip”, and bar integrity.

The present invention substituted common toxic surfactants with thecoconut derived sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidopropylhydroxysultaine, and sodium isethionate, substances that are milder skincleaners¹⁴ that help remove excess oil and dirt from the skin.

Unique mixture of ingredients—To accomplish the characteristic look,feel, smell, and performance of the present invention, a specificmixture of ingredients was used.

Quillaja saponaria bark extract, also known as soap bark, is a keyingredient in the present invention. Quillaja is a food additive thatcreates foam for carbonated drinks such as root beer and is thesubstance that gives a solid cleanser bar formulated according to thepresent invention its unique frothiness. Quillaja extract is purifiedextract of outer cambium layer of quillaja saponaria molina tree andcontains natural nonionic surfactants called saponins that stabilizefoams and emulsions.¹⁵ Saponins are detergent-like substances showingantibacterial, antiviral, antitrichomonal, and antifungal activity. Theantiviral properties have been demonstrated against rotavirus, vacciniavirus, herpes simplex virus type 1, varicella zoster virus, humanimmunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2) and reovirus. Quillajainhibits infection from host cells by preventing attachment andreplication of virus¹⁶ ¹⁷ ¹⁸. In addition, it inhibits fungal growth,¹⁹²⁰ and has anti-Staphylococcal properties.²¹ Quillaja saponaria hasanti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity and inhibits mosquito larvaldevelopment.²² ²³ It is also anti-inflammatory,²⁴ and an antioxidant²⁵The combination of frothing ability as well as antibacterial, antiviral,anti trichomonal, and antifungal properties make quillaja an ideal agentfor solid cleanser bars formulated according to the present invention,providing performance enhancement as well as antimicrobial qualities.

Other naturally occurring frothing agents include Yucca saponin, whichalso is included in this patent and imparts similar qualities to soapand foods.

Ground oats—this substance imparts a homogenous white color and “body”to the syndet and gives it a soothing feel. Ground oats havemoisturization qualities,²⁶ and are anti-inflammatory andantihistaminic. The avenanthramides, a component of whole oat grain, areresponsible for many of these effects. Avenanthramides inhibit theactivity of nuclear factor kappaB and the release of proinflammatorycytokines and histamine, mechanisms in the pathophysiology ofinflammatory dermatoses. Natural colloidal oatmeal helps restore theskin barrier and can improve atopic dermatitis and other conditions.²⁷²⁸

Avenanthramides are phenolic compounds present in oats at approximately300 parts per million (ppm) and exhibit anti-oxidant²⁹ and potentanti-inflammatory activity that are responsible for the anti-irritanteffects of oats.³⁰

Glycerin—This humectant provides the physical sensation of “slip”, asopposed to “friction” when the bar is moved against the skin. The rightamount of “slip” is necessary for an aesthetically pleasing experience.In addition, glycerin protects against irritants, accelerates recoveryof irritated 31 32 33 skin, increases water content of skin³¹ ³², anddecreases symptoms of atopic dermatitis³³. The diverse actions of thepolyol glycerol on the epidermis include improvement of stratum corneumhydration, skin barrier function and skin mechanical properties,inhibition of the stratum corneum lipid phase transition, protectionagainst irritating stimuli, enhancement of desmosomal degradation, andacceleration of wound-healing processes. Additionally, an antimicrobialeffect has been demonstrated. Topical application of glycerol-containingproducts improves skin properties in diseases characterized by xerosisand impaired epidermal barrier function, such as atopic dermatitis. Theincrease of epidermal hydration by glycerol is critical in skinconditions aggravated by dry and cold environmental conditions, e.g.winter xerosis.

Beeswax—Soaps and syndets are mixtures of a variety of chemicals andwill separate spontaneously as they age, causing a physical crumbling ofthe bar. To maintain bar integrity, most soaps contain petrolatum, anoil based product and suspected carcinogen³⁴ ³⁵. The formulation forsyndets of the present invention substitutes natural beeswax to maintainthe integrity of the bar. Beeswax has a pleasant natural scent and is sonontoxic that it is actually edible, comprising the delicacy known ashoneycomb.

Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf Oil (Thyme)—a natural antioxidant³⁶ ³⁷ whichalso has antibacterial and antifungal properties. In concentrations of3%, thyme essential oil healed fungal infections.³⁸ Thyme inhibits thegrowth of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Pseudomonasbacteria, including multidrug resistant varieties.³⁹ It has also beenshown to have antimicrobial properties against Klebsiella and Strepagalactiae bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of thyme is not trivialin fact it is stronger than that of the commonly used synthetic BHT.⁴⁰Thyme has also been shown to cure leishmaniasis.⁴¹ Thyme oil,particularly pungent, is an important component in the fragrance mixtureof the exemplary embodiment.

Bergaptene-Free Essential Lemon Oil—This aromatherapy agent imparts partof the unique fragrance, along with lavender and thyme. Common lemon oilis a photosensitizer,⁴² but bergaptene-free lemon oil, has all orsubstantially of the photosensitizing agent, bergaptene, removed,thereby eliminating most of the photosensitizing effect of lemon oil.

Lemon oil is also a natural antibacterial. Staphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Oenococcus and lactobacillus bacteria,⁴³ ⁴⁴ ⁴⁵Candida and Aspergillis fungus are all also killed by lemon and lavenderoils.⁴⁶ Interestingly, lemon essential oil and thyme essential oilnaturally repel mosquitoes, probably because they are toxic to mosquitolarvae.⁴⁷

Essential lemon oil enhances the penetration of vitamins E, A (retinylacetate), and C (Ascorbic acid), important components of the inventor'spatent pending day cream and evening serum regimens.⁴⁸

Essential lemon oil has strong antioxidant activity and, in particular,significantly increases the antioxidative potential of the skin.⁴⁹ ⁵⁰

Essential Lavender Oil—one of only two aromatherapy agents (the otherbeing lemon oil) that have proven ability to lower blood pressure andheart rate.⁵¹ ⁵² These essential oils are natural mood elevators, andare released into the air during use of the product. Both lemon andlavender oils have been shown to improve cognitive function inAlzheimer's dementia patients.⁵³ Lavender and lemon oils have anxiolyticand antidepressant effects by suppressing dopamine activity in thebrain.⁵⁴

Lavender oil not only is safe, but is also antimutagenic.⁵⁵

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention take advantage of thenatural antibacterial and antifungal properties of lavender, lemon, andthyme oils, obviating the need for synthetic or other potentiallyskin-irritating or sensitizing preservatives.

Fragrance—The unique fragrance of syndets formulated according to thepresent invention is a result of the blend of lemon, lavender, and thymeoils.

Syndet Forming Process Description

The listed raw materials are blended together, checked to ensure the pHlevel is between 5.3 and 5.8 and preferably at pH 5.5, in a mix tankunder proprietary conditions. The resultant molten synthetic hatch isfiltered and pumped onto a roil, to convert the molten material to athin solid, the syndet. The solid syndet is scraped from the roll andconveyed to a pelletizer. The pelletizer converts the syndet into anoodle form that is placed in a super sack for storage and handling.Further processing is done by placing the syndet noodles into anamalgamator and mixing with final product ingredients such as fragrancesor other additives. The resultant mass is milled and extruded intobillets. The billets are then pressed into finished bars and packaged asthe finished product.

Non-Primary Irritant and Non-Primary Sensitizer—The non-irritant andnon-sensitizing status of the cleanser of the exemplary embodiment wasappraised using a Repeat Insult Patch Test. When the exemplaryembodiment cleanser having the formulation described hereinabove wasapplied to 50 human subjects under semi-occlusion at a 10% dilution indistilled water, in accordance with the industry reference Appraisal ofthe Safety of Chemicals in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, published by TheAssociation of Food and Drug Officials of The United States, 1965(modified), no irritation or sensitization was observed in any of thesubjects. Each subject bad 9 discrete 24-hour exposures over a period ofthree weeks and no reactions or adverse events were observed.

¹Acta Derm VenereoL 2013 May;93(3):261-7. Skin pH: from basic science tobasic skin care. Ali S M, Yosipovitch G.

²Int J Dermatol. 2002 Aug;41(8):494-9. Correlation between pH andirritant effect of cleansers marketed for dry skin. Baranda L,González-Amaro R, Torres-Alvarez B, Alvarez C, Ramirez V.

³Skin Res Technol. 2001 May;7(2):98-104. A comparative study of theeffects on the skin of a classical bar soap and a syndet cleansing barin normal use conditions and in the soap chamber test. Barel A O,Lambrecht R, Clarys P, Morrison B M Jr, Paye M.

⁴Int J Cosmet Sci. 2003 Jun;25(3): 103-12. pH-induced alterations instratum corneum properties. Ananthapadmanabhan K P, Lips A, Vincent C,Meyer F, Caso S, Johnson A, Subramanyan K, Vethamuthu M, Rattinger G,Moore D J.

⁵Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2006;19(6):296-302. The pH of the skin surfaceand its impact on the barrier function. Schmid-Wendtner M H, Korting HC.

⁶Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002;3(4):261-72. The acidic milieu of the hornylayer: new findings on the physiology and pathophysiology of skin pH.Rippke F, Schreiner V, Schwanitz H J.

⁷Dermatology. 1997;195(3):258-62. Effects of soap and detergents on skinsurface pH, stratum corneum hydration and fat content in infants.Gfatter R, Hackl P, Braun F.

⁸ Dermatology. 1995:191 (4):276-80. The concept of the acid mantle ofthe skin: its relevance for the choice of skin cleansers. Schmid M H,Korting H C.

⁹Skin Res Technol. 2001 May;7(2):98-104. A comparative study of theeffects on the skin of a classical bar soap and a syndet cleansing barin normal use conditions and in the soap chamber test. Barel A O,Lambrecht R, Clarys P, Morrison B M Jr, Paye M.

¹⁰Acta Derm Venereol 80;421-4. 2000. Experimental candida albicanslesions in healthy humans: dependence on Skin pH. Runernan B et al.

¹¹Dermatology. 1995;191(4):276-80. The concept of the acid mantle of theskin: its relevance for the choice of skin cleansers. Schmid M H,Korting HC.

¹²Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5(5):327-37. Cosmetic allergy: incidence,diagnosis, and management. Orton D I, Wilkinson J D.

¹³Journal of Environmental and Public Health. Volume 2012, Article ID713696, 52 pages. Review Article Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals:Associated Disorders and Mechanisms of Action. Sam De Coster and Nicolasvan Larebeke

¹⁴ Contact Dermatitis. 1999 Jun;40(6):316-22. Irritancy ranking ofanionic detergents using one-time occlusive, repeated occlusive andrepeated open tests. Tupker R A, Bunte E E, Fidler V, Wiechers J W,Coenraads P J.

¹⁵Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2007;26(3):227-33.Antioxidant activities ofessential oil mixtures toward skin lipid squalene oxidized by UVirradiation. Wei A, Shibamoto T.

¹⁶Future Med Chem. 2010 Jul;2(7): 1083-97. Prevention of rotavirusinfections in vitro with aqueous extracts of Quillaja Saponaria Molina.Roner M R, Tam K I, Kesling-Barrager M.

¹⁷Antiviral Res. 2011 Jun;90(3):231-41. Characterization of in vivoanti-rotavirus activities of saponin extracts from Quillaja saponariaMolina. Tam K I, Roner M R.

¹⁸ J Gen Virol, 2007 Jan;88(Pt 1):275-85. Antiviral activity obtainedfrom aqueous extracts of the Chilean soap bark tree (Quillaja saponariaMolina). Roner M R, Sprayberry J, Spinks M, Dhanji S.

¹⁹ Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 Oct;59(3):417-23. Growth inhibitionof regenerated cellulose nanofibrous membranes containing Quillajasaponin. Dixit V, Tewari J, Obendorf S K.

²⁰Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2010 Oct;59(3):417-23. 6. Fungal growthinhibition of regenerated cellulose nanofibrous membranes containingQuillaja saponin. Dixit V, Tewari J, Obendorf S K.

²¹Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2010 Oct; 162(4):1008-17. Hemolytic andantimicrobial activities differ among saponin-rich extracts from guar,quillaja, yucca, and soybean. Hassan S M. Byrd J A, Cartwright A L,Bailey C A.

²²J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Aug;81(3):407-9. The use of commercial saponinfrom Quillaja saponaria bark as a natural larvicidal agent against Aedesaegypti and Culex pipiens. Pelah D.

Abramovich Z, Markus A, Wiesman Z.

²³Parasitol Res. 2012 Jun;110(6):2551-6. Anti-Trichomonas vaginalisactivity of saponins from Quillaja, Passiflora, and Ilex species. RochaT D, de Brum Vieira P, Gnoatto S C, Tasca T, Gosmann G.

²⁴J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011 May;63(5):718-24. Topical anti-inflammatoryactivity of quillaic acid from Quillaja saponaria Mol. and somederivatives, Rodriguez-Diaz M, Delporte C, Cartagena C, Cassel B K,González P, Silva X, León F, Wessjohann L A.

²⁵ J Diabetes Complications. 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5);348-56. The effects ofYucca sehidigera and Quillaja saponaria on DNA damage, proteinoxidation, lipid peroxidation, and some biochemical parameters instreptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, Fidan A E, Dündar Y.

²⁶Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2012;5:183-93. Safety and efficacy ofpersonal care products containing colloidal oatmeal. Criquet M, Roure R,Dayan L, Nollent V, Bertin C.

²⁷J Drugs Dermatol 2010 Sep;9(9):1116-20. Mechanism of action andclinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice. CerioR, Dohil M, Jenine D, Magina S, Mahé E, Stratigos A J.

²⁸ Cutis. 2007 Dec;80(6 Suppl):2-16. Natural advances in eczema care.Eichenfield L F, Fowler J F Jr, Rigel D S, Taylor S C.

²⁹Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012 Mar-Apr;78(2):142-5. Oatmealin dermatology: a brief review. Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Kazerouni A, FeilyA.

³⁰Arch Dermatol Res. 2008 Nov;300(10):569-74. Avenanthramides,polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity.Sur R, Nigam A, Grote D, Liebel F, Southall M D.

³¹Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2006;19(4):207-15. An in vivo randomized studyof human skin moisturization by a new confocal Raman fiber-opticmicroprobe: assessment of a glycerol-based hydration cream, Chrit L,Bastien P, Sockalingum G D, Batisse D, Leroy F, Manfait M, Hadjur C.

³²Arch Dermatol Res. 2010 Aug;302(6):435-41. Effects of glycerol onhuman skin damaged by acute sodium lauryl sulphate treatment.Atrux-Tallau N, Romagny C, Padois K, Denis A, Haftek M, Falson F, PirotF, Maibach H I.

³³Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;25(3):155-61. Noninvasive sNoninvasivestratum corneum sampling and electron microscopical examination of skinbarrier integrity: pilot study with a topical glycerin formulation foratopic dermatitis. Daehnhardt-Pfeiffer S, Surber C, Wilhelm K P,Daehnhardt D, Springmann G, Boettcher M, Foelster-Holst R.

³⁴ Occup Med. 1988 Jul-Sep;3(3):475-94. The carcinogenic potential ofselected petroleum-derived products. Rothman N, Emmett E A.

³⁵ Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 2003 Nov;18(11):890-901. Petroleum mineraloil refining and evaluation of cancer hazard. Mackerer C R, Griffis L C,Grabowski Jr J S, Reitman F A.

³⁶Cutan Ocul Toxical. 2007;26(3):227-33. Antioxidant activities ofessential oil mixtures toward skin lipid squalene oxidized by UVirradiation, Wei A, Shibamoto T.

³⁷Food Chem. 2013 Dec 1;141(3):2198-206. Effects of Salvia officinalisand Thymus vulgaris on oxidant-induced DNA damage and antioxidant statusin HepG2 cells. Kozics K, Klusová V, Sran{hacek over (c)}iková A,Mu{hacek over (c)}aji P, Slameñová D, Hunáková L, Kusznierewicz B,Horváthová E.

38Int J Dermatol. 2012 Jul;51(7):790-5. Researching accessible andaffordable treatment for common dermatological problems in developingcountries. An Ethiopian experience. Shimelis N D, Asticcioli S, BaraldoM, Tirillini B, Lulekal E, Murgia V.

39Microb Drug Resist. 2012 Apr; 18(2):137-48. The antimicrobial activityof thyme essential oil against multidrug resistant clinical bacterialstrains. Sienkiewicz M, Lysakowska M, Denys P, Kowalczyk E.

⁴⁰Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 2012 Apr-Jun;71(2):61-9. In vitroantimicrobial and antioxidant activity of black thyme (Thymbra spicataL.) essential oils. Saidi M, Ghafourian S, Zarin-Abaadi M, Movahedi K,Sadeghifard N.

⁴¹J Vector Borne Dis. 2008 Dec;45(4):301-6. Comparison of Thymusvulgaris (Thyme), Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) and propolishydroalcoholic extracts versus systemic glucantime in the treatment ofcutaneous leishmaniasis in balb/c mice. Nilforoushzadeh M A,Shirani-Bidabadi L, Zolfaghari-Baghbaderani A, Saberi S, Siadat A H,Mahmoudi M.

⁴² Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;278(1):31-6. A study of the phototoxicity oflemon oil. Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, Nakajima K, Someya T.

⁴³J Food Prot.2007 Jan;70(1):114-8. Use of lemon extract to inhibit thegrowth of malolactic bacteria, Conte A, Sinigaglia M, Del Nobile M A.

⁴⁴World J Microbial Biotechnol 2013 Jul;29(7):1161-7. Effect of citruslemon oil on growth and adherence of Streptococcus mutans. Liu Y, ZhangX, Wang Y, Chen F, Yu Z, Wang L, Chen S, Guo M.

⁴⁵J Food Prot. 2007 Jan;70(1): 114-8. Use of lemon extract to inhibitthe growth of malolactic bacteria. Conte A, Sinigaglia M, Del Nobile MA.

⁴⁶J Appl Microbiol. 2009 Dec 1;107(6): 1903-11. Antimicrobial activityof lavender, tea tree and lemon oils in cosmetic preservative systems.Kunicka-Styczyńska A. Sikora M, Kalemba D.

⁴⁷ Parasitol Res. 2012 Dec;111(6):2253-63. Evaluation of bioefficacy ofthree Citrus essential oils against the dengue vector Aedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) in correlation to their components enantiomericdistribution. Giatropoulos A, Papachristos D P, Kimbaris A, KoliopoulosG, Polissiou M G, Emmanouel N, Michaelakis A.

⁴⁸Int J Cosmet Sci. 2012 Aug;34(4):347-56. Lemon (Citrus limon, Burm.f)essential oil enhances the trans-epidermal release of lipid—(A, E) andwater—(B6, C) soluble vitamins from topical emulsions in reconstructedhuman epidermis. Valgimigli L, Gabbanini S, Berlini E, Lucchi E,Beltramini C, Bertarelli Y L.

⁴⁹Drugs Exp Clin Res.1999;25(6):281-7. Oxidative stress and antioxidantsat skin biosurface: a novel antioxidant from lemon oil capable ofinhibiting oxidative damage to the skin. Calabrese V, Scapagnini G,Randazzo S D, Randazzo G, Catalano C, Geraci G, Morganti P.

⁵⁰Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1999;25(5):219-25. Biochemical studies on a novelantioxidant from lemon oil and its biotechnological application incosmetic dermatology. Calabrese V, Randazzo S D, Catalano C, Rizza V.

⁵¹J Med Assoc Thai. 2012 Apr;95(4):598-606. The effects of lavender oilinhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brainelectrical activity. Sayorwan W, Siriponrpanich V, Piriyapunyaporn T,Hongratanaworakit T, Kotchabhakdi N, Ruangrungsi N.

⁵²J Cosmet Dermatol 2011 Jun;10(2):89-93. Effects of lavender olfactoryinput on cosmetic procedures. Grunebaum L D, Murdock J, Castanedo-TardanM P, Baumann L S.

⁵³ Psychogeriatrics. 2009 Dec;9(4): 173-9. Effect of aromatherapy onpatients with Alzheimer's disease. Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, InoueM, Urakami K.

⁵⁴ Behav Brain Res. 2006 Sep 25;172(2):240-9. Lemon oil vapor causes ananti-stress effect via modulating the 5-HT and DA activities in mice.Komiya M, Takeuchi T, Piarada E.

⁵⁵Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Sep;43(9):1381-7. The antimutagenic activityof Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) essential oil in the bacterialreverse mutation assay, Evandri M G, Battinelli L, Daniele C,Mastrangelo S, Bolle P, Mazzanti G.

What is claimed is:
 1. A syndet for skin cleansing having a pH in therange of from about 5.3 to about 5.8, comprising: a. about 0.01% toabout 1% quillaja by weight; b. bergaptene-free essential lemon oil; c.thymol; d. essential lavender oil; e. oat flour; and f. beeswax, whereinthe syndet is solid at room temperature.
 2. The syndet of claim 1,further comprising stearic acid and sodium chloride.
 3. The syndet ofclaim 3, wherein the stearic acid is present at about 30% to about 40%by weight and the sodium chloride is present at about 0.5% to about 1%by weight.
 4. The syndet of claim 1, wherein the pH is about 5.5.
 5. Thesyndet of claim 1, wherein the quillaja is present at about 0.1% byweight.
 6. The syndet of claim 1, comprising about 1.25% by weight ofbergaptene-free essential lemon oil, about 0.0005% to about 0.01% byweight of thymol, and about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of essentiallavender oil.
 7. The syndet of claim 1, comprising about 1% to about 3%beeswax, about 0.5% to about 2% oat flour, and further comprising about40% to about 50% sodium cocoyl isethionate, about 2% to about 4%cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, about 1% to about 3% sodium isethionate,about 0.5% to about 2% glycerin, and about 0.5% to about 1% titaniumdioxide,
 8. A syndet for skin cleansing having a pH in the range of fromabout 5.3 to about 5.8, comprising: a. about 0.01% to about 1% quillajaby weight; b. about 0.5% to about 2% bergaptene-free essential lemonoil; c. about 0.0001% to about 1% by weight of thymol; d. about 0.01% toabout 1% by weight of essential lavender oil; e. about 40% to about 50%sodium cocoyl isethionate; f. about 2% to about 4% cocamidopropylhydroxysultaine; g. about 1% to about 3% beeswax: h. about 1% to about3% sodium isethionate; i. about 0.5% to about 2% oat flour; j. about0.5% to about 2% glycerin; and k. about 0.5% to about 1% titaniumdioxide. wherein the syndet is solid at room temperature.
 9. The syndetof claim 8, wherein the syndet has a pH of about 5.5.
 10. A method ofcleansing a skin surface comprising applying the syndet of claim 1 tothe skin surface.
 11. A method of cleansing a skin surface comprisingapplying the syndet of claim 8 to the skin surface.
 12. A method ofcleansing a skin surface comprising: applying a syndet to the skinsurface, the syndet comprising quillaja and having a pH in the range offrom about 5.3 to about 5.8, wherein the barrier function of the skinsurface is not reduced.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the quillajais present at about 0.01% to about 1% by weight.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the pH is about 5.5.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein thequillaja is present at about 0.1% by weight.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein the syndet further comprises thymol, essential lavender oil,bergaptene-free essential lemon oil and oat flour.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the syndet comprises about 1.25% by weight ofbergaptene-free essential lemon oil, about 0.0005% to about 0.01% byweight of thymol, and about 0.1% to about 1% by weight of essentiallavender oil.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the syndet furthercomprises about 40% to about 50% sodium cocoyl isethionate, about 2% toabout 4% cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, about 1% to about 3% beeswax,about 1% to about 3% sodium isethionate, about 0.5% to about 2% oatflour, about 0.5% to about 2% glycerin, and about 0.5% to about 1%titanium dioxide.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the syndet furthercomprises stearic acid and sodium chloride.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the stearic acid is present at about 30% to about 40% by weightand the sodium chloride is present at about 0.5% to about 1% by weight.